Management effects on autumn-winter pasture production and quality at Coopers Creek, North Canterbury: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) in the University of Canterbury

Abstract

Management effects on hill pasture production and quality were measured during the autumn and . winter on sunny and shady aspects at Coopers Creek. Pastures were closed from grazing in January, February and March (on the shady aspect). Dry matter production, composition, and digestibility measurements were taken from March to July. Results are summarized as follows: (i) For either closing date, by May the shady aspect had accumulated 2.0-2.5 times more dry matter than the sunny aspect. By July the proportion had declined to approximately 1.3 times the dry matter on the shady aspect. (ii) January closing yielded 1.3-2.0 times as much dry matter as February closing at any cutting date, while yields from March closing were particularly low. (iii) Dead matter yield, and proportion in the sward increased at all times on the sunny aspect. Dead matter yield declined between May and July on the shady aspect, but always proportionally increased with longer spelling intervals, (iv) Pastures closed in autumn and winter produced less and contained less live material than those grazed at four and eight weekly intervals. (v) Sunny aspect pastures were less digestible, but declined in digestibility less rapidly than shady aspect pastures. (vi) Live material digestibility from January and February closing on the shady aspect was constant. In other treatments a ·slight decline was noted during winter. (vii) Dead herbage from the sunny aspect was less digestible than that from the shady aspect.